Withdrawal

About Withdrawal (Semester or University)

• Mere absence from class does not constitute notice of semester withdrawal.
• Semester withdrawal is only applicable for current fall or spring semester only; a past or future fall or spring semester withdrawal requires prior approval from Dean of Students.
• Semester withdrawal may occur from the first day up until last day of classes for current fall or spring semester.
• Any student wishing to drop all summer or winter classes is not required to complete the Semester Withdrawal Form; a student simply drops all classes via BU BRAIN at http://bubrain.binghamton.edu. (In summer 2012, this option will be available beginning Monday, May 14. Prior to May 14, a student may email registrar@binghamton.edu requesting their class(es) be dropped. Email requests must come from the student's official Binghamton University email address and must include the CRN or subject and course name of the class(es).)
• The action of semester withdrawal is noted on a student’s record as an Official Withdrawal and, in place of a regular grade, all courses will have a “W” on a student’s transcript. NOTE: If a semester withdrawal is submitted and processed prior to the semester add/drop deadline, all courses will be deleted and not marked with a “W” on a student’s transcript; no grades are recorded for students who formally withdraw before the add/drop deadline.
• If receiving financial aid, including student and/or parent loans: Student is strongly encouraged to speak to a financial aid counselor to determine impact of semester withdrawal on current and/or future financial aid eligibility. Specifically, federal regulations state that once a student has attended more than 60% of the term (fall, spring or summer), the student is considered to have earned 100% of their aid and no adjustment to aid is needed. If the student has not attended more than 60% of the term, any unearned aid must be returned to the federal aid programs. For example, semester withdrawal prior to Nov. 2, 2011, for fall 2011 semester or March 29, 2012, for spring 2012 semester, federal financial aid you may have already been received (including student and parent loans). Aid would be prorated and could affect the student’s final account balance.
• Tuition & Fees Pro-ration: Refunds are given based on the following schedule in accordance to the New York State Board of Trustees policy: Week 1- 100 % tuition and fees; Week 2 - 70% tuition only; Week 3- 50% tuition only; Week 4 - 30% tuition only; Week 5 and After- No Refund. Students will be billed for any portion of unpaid tuition, fees and miscellaneous charges owed to the University. After the first week of classes, all fees are non-refundable. Students will be billed if fees are not paid. See Student Accounts for more details>
• Campus Housing Pro-ration: Charges for room occupancy are based on the daily room rate multiplied by the number of days the student occupied the room. Vacancy is determined by the date the student removes his/her belongings from the room, completes a room inventory and returns the room keys to a member of the Residential Life Staff. Move out of room is required within 24 hours of withdrawal.
• Meal Plan Pro-ration: The amount of a Resident dining plan refund is a percentage of the total meal plan paid for that semester, determined according to a prorated weekly schedule. No refund can be made, under any circumstances or at any time, of any part of a discretionary fund balance transferred forward from the fall to the spring semester.

How to Successfully Complete & Submit Withdrawal Form 

The Semester Withdrawal Form is required for a student who wishes to drop ALL fall or spring semester courses and who wants his/her academic record to indicate good standing. This form is also used for a student withdrawing from the University.

Semester Withdrawal Form and detailed instructions>

BEFORE completing the form, be sure to review important instructions below about the information and signature(s) required. NOTE: These instructions are also included with the form.

Question 1: Be sure to complete the basic contact information and questions.

Question 2: Be sure to review special undergraduate or graduate circumstances below that may apply to your current enrollment status at Binghamton University before completing Question 2 on the Withdrawal Form. Special circumstances require a student consult with a specific University office and obtaining required signature(s).

UNDERGRADUATE STUDENTS ONLY – SPECIAL CIRCUMSTANCES

If an undergraduate international student (F-1/J-1 Visa): An international student must complete the Semester Withdrawal Form and go to the International Student and Scholars Services (ISSS) Office, located in the Nelson A. Rockefeller Center, for a withdrawal consultation and required signature before submitting the withdrawal form to the Financial Aid and Student Records Office in Student Wing, Room 119.

If an undergraduate student who is in the Educational Opportunity Program (EOP): An EOP student must complete the Semester Withdrawal Form AND visit the EOP Office, located in Student Wing, Room 233, for a withdrawal consultation and required signature before submitting the withdrawal form to the Financial Aid and Student Records Office in Student Wing, Room 119.

If an undergraduate student withdraws for the semester to enter active military duty: Student must complete Semester Withdrawal Form AND provide written copies of deployment orders. U.S. citizens and U.S. veterans must notify the TRIO Office for Veterans Services at 607-777-2024. International students called to military service in their homeland, before commencing with withdrawing, need to contact the International Student and Scholars Services (ISSS) Office at 607-777-2510 for information on appropriate departure procedures required under U.S. Immigration law.

If an undergraduate non-matriculated (also referred to as non-degree or continuing education) student: Student must complete the Semester Withdrawal Form and go to the Continuing Education & Outreach (CEO) Office, located in the Public Service Programs Center building, for a withdrawal consultation and required signature before submitting the withdrawal form to the Financial Aid and Student Records Office in Student Wing, Room 119.

GRADUATE STUDENTS ONLY – SPECIAL CIRCUMSTANCES

If you are a funded graduate student: Student must complete the Semester Withdrawal Form and go to The Graduate School, located in the Couper Administration Building, Room 134, for a withdrawal consultation and required signature before submitting the withdrawal form to the Financial Aid and Student Records Office in Student Wing, Room 119.

If you are a graduate student who is called to active U.S. military duty: Student must complete Semester Withdrawal Form AND Student must provide written documentation of deployment orders to the TRIO Office for Veterans Services at 607-777-2024. Then, the student will be able to apply for a leave of absence from The Graduate School at 607-777-2151. Students on leave are excused from the registration requirement during the period of the leave. Leaves are normally granted for a period not exceeding 12 months. If possible, requests for leaves of absence should be submitted one month prior to the semester for which the leave is requested. For further details, contact The Graduate School Office at 607-777-2151.

If an international graduate student (F-1/J-1 Visa): An international graduate student must complete the Semester Withdrawal Form and go to the International Student and Scholars Services (ISSS) Office, located in the Nelson A. Rockefeller Center, for a withdrawal consultation and required signature before submitting the withdrawal form to The Graduate School.

Question 3: All students are required to indicate on the form the reason for withdrawing.

There are four reasons for withdrawal: Academic, Financial, Medical or Other.

• If “Other” is indicated, you are required to contact the Dean of Students’ staff, located in University Union West, Room 205 or via phone at 607-777-2804, to initiate the withdrawal process.
• If “Medical” is indicated, you are required to contact the Dean of Students’ staff, located in University Union West, Room 205 or via phone at 607-777-2804, to initiate the withdrawal process.
• If "Academic" or "Financial" is indicated, you continue to Question 4.

Important Information about Medical Withdrawal: If you intend to withdraw due to physical or psychological problems: a brief, in-person conversation is required with the Dean of Students Office in order to best direct your withdrawal request. If you are unable to accomplish this in person, a telephone call to this office will suffice in order to begin the process.

Most medical insurance companies require that students be matriculated in an undergraduate program in order to continue coverage held by their parents. The Dean of Students provides this documentation to students in good standing who have submitted to University Health and Counseling an assessment of their medical condition.

Students with health issues may require additional accommodations from the University. The appropriate forms are available online for both University Health and Counseling and the of Dean of Students Office. This documentation will only be reviewed by health professionals at Binghamton University. DOS staff will determine your need for academic accommodations, and the return process when you are ready to resume studies at Binghamton University. If the medical withdrawal (that is an Administrative Withdrawal with accommodations) is approved, you will receive a letter from the Dean of Students confirming that you have been withdrawn. You do not need to return the withdrawal form to the  Financial Aid and Student Records Office in Student Wing, Room 119. The Dean of Students will communicate with all University offices regarding administrative medical withdrawals. This notification is done by administrative code in order to protect your privacy and assist you in a timely leave.

Question 4: Be sure to sign and date form.  Submit the completed form in a timely manner to the Financial Aid and Student Records Office in Student Wing, Room 119.

Be sure to also review the detailed instructions about your next steps AFTER you submit a semester withdrawal form. Semester Withdrawal Form and detailed instructions>

Should you have any questions about semester withdrawal or completion of the form, please contact the Dean of Students Office at 607-777-2804 or deanofstudents@binghamton.edu.